TWO world champions will be double top of the bill in York next month.

Australian superstar Tony David, the Embassy World Darts king, and England's Trina Gulliver, the Embassy women's world champion, are to play at Burnholme Social Club, Heworth, on Monday, March 11.

And two Evening Press readers - the winners of our competition alongside - will be among the line-up of York players to play them.

David and Gulliver are the star duo on the Embassy Darts Roadshow.

It will be a an evening of darts skills and entertainment hosted by television darts commentator Tony Green, who is famous for his 'one-hundred-and-eighteeee' catchphrase.

David, from Queensland, hit the headlines when, on his way to nailing the world crown last month, it was revealed that he suffers from arthritic haemophilia (a serious blood clotting disorder).

He also walks with a limp, cannot straighten his dart-throwing arm - and he has been playing darts for only nine years.

David, who is now nicknamed 'The Boomerang', beat Mervyn King 6-4 in a thrilling climax to the Embassy World Championship at the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey.

The 34-year-old Australian, the first Aussie to have won the world title, still has to undergo regular acupuncture, have hot baths, massage and take medication in order to be fit to play his sport.

"I hope by winning the world title I will encourage others to achieve what they want," he said.

"If I can survive as life-threatening illness, take up a sport and win a world title in just over nine years, then there is hope for everybody."

Gulliver, who comes from Southam near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, retained her Embassy world title with a 2-1 defeat of Holland's Francis Hoenselaar. In the deciding leg Gulliver won with a 114 finish.

She has captured the British Open championship four times in succession, the Jersey Open three years in a row, the England Open, and has won a host of other major championships.

"I always enjoy the Roadshows and it should be another great Tour as Tony David is not only a fantastic player but he's a really nice person as well," she said.

Their trip to York next month launches a schedule of 20 Embassy World Darts Roadshows which they will be doing all over Britain to celebrate 25 years of Embassy sponsoring the darts world championship.

It will be the first time David has been on the Roadshow tour.

Pat Bowness, secretary of York John Smith's Ladies Darts League, said: "Everyone is looking forward to the Embassy World Darts Roadshow coming to York and to have two world champions in action is a tremendous bonus for all local darts enthusiasts.

"Tony Green is one of the sport's great characters and it's going to be a great night out."

Tickets are available only to Burnholme club members, associate members and bona-fide guests. For further information phone York (09104) 415913.

Updated: 12:35 Friday, February 22, 2002